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Engineering graduates reaping rewards of skill shortage in the Bay

Wednesday 18 March 2015, 8:16PM

By Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

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BAY OF PLENTY

Construction and engineering vacancies continue to dominate the labour market; in 2014 vacancies for posted online for technicians and trades workers rose 13.5% - the biggest increase of all the occupation groups, highlighting a strong need for trained engineers and tradesmen.

The 2014 report, released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment last December, also stated the number of skilled vacancies in the Bay of Plenty region increased by more than 20%, the biggest in New Zealand.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic student Logan Taylor seized the opportunity to make the most of the skill shortage having just started his apprenticeship with Page Macrae. The reputable Tauranga engineering firm offered the apprenticeship to Logan after he completed 80 hours of work experience with them, as well as Oasis Engineering, while studying towards the Certificate in Engineering in 2014.

Logan’s passion for making things from scratch, and in particular seeing the end product was the catalyst for studying engineering, and after graduating top of the class and with 3 months of his apprenticeship under his belt, he knows he’s on the right track. While he’s planning on completing his apprenticeship, he’s already thinking about further study with the Polytechnic’s Diploma in Engineering – Mechanical.

Work experience is a critical element in preparing students for the workforce, equipping them with practical and transferable skills that employers are looking for. Logan believes success comes down to how much you put into it, “Go for broke. It’s all about attitude, take any job they offer and work hard.”

86% of all Bay of Plenty Polytechnic students in 2014’s class of Certificate in Engineering went straight into jobs and 75% of these were full apprenticeships. Both course tutors and Logan agree that anyone wanting a job can get one with the right attitude and determination.

For more information on the range of engineering programmes on offer at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, visit www.boppoly.ac.nz or call 0800 BOPPOLY.